Machine-for loading heels with nails



(No Model.) I 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. WUODWARD. Y MACHINE FOR LOADING HEELSWITH NAILS. N0. 562,944.

Patented June 30, 1896.

., Il.. Il' IIA Ill Il IIII Allllllllllllllllll AN DREW lGMHM.PHUm-UTHUWASHING'I'DN. D-C.

(No Model.) Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. WOODWARD. MACHINE FOR LOADING HEELS WITH NAILS. No. 562,944.vPatented June 30, 1896.

(No Model.) e sheets-sheet 3.

- B. WOGDWARD. MACHINE FOR LOADING HEELS WITH NAILS.

Patented JuneBO,

ANDREW EGRMAM. PHm-UTHOAWASHINGTDNAU C.

(No Model.) (i Sheets-Sheet 4,

E. WOODWARD.

MAHINB FOR LOADING HEELS WITH NlLS. No. 562,944. Y Patented June 30,1896.

Lrg O y1 Q Y? fa ff I @f flluyu! f, Vl

6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

No Model.)

E. WOODWARD. MACHINE FOB. LUADING HBBLS WITH NAILS. No. 562,944.Patented June 30, 1896.

ANnREw E GRAHAMAFHDTD umawASnlNh-rDNDC vslwets--sneet e. l

(No Moda.)

I E. WOODWARD. MACHINE FOR LOADING HEELS WITH NAILS.

Patented June so, 1896.

l. n l l ANDREW RGNAMAMv PHDTOMMOYWASMNGKUM. n C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. v

ERASTUS IVOODIVARD, OF SOMERVILLE, IWIASSACIIUS'ITSASSIGN OR TO THEVOODWARD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SACO, MAINE.

MACHINE-FOR LOADING HEELS WITH NAILS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 562,944, dated June V30,1896. Application led January l5, 1895. Serial N- 534,963. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ERAs'rUs WooDwAED, of Somerville, county ofMiddlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Machines for Loading IIeels with Nails, of which thefollowing is a specification; and I hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, which will en ableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make'and use thesame.

My invention relates to a machine by which nails are partly driven intoa pile of heel-lifts in order to form a heel-blank ready to be attachedby the same nails to the shoe. One object of my invention is to .producea machine in which the undriven or feeding` nail will control thefeeding operation of the heelsupporting plate, so that if a nail is notreceived from the nail-raceway into the nailfeedway, and thence fedforward toward the position to be driven by the nail-driver, theheel-plate will not be moved, and the heel will thus remain stationaryuntil a nail is so received and fed into position to be driven by thedriving mechanism into said heel.'

Another object of myinvention is to pro` duce a machine in which but onenail at a time can pass from the nail-raceway into the nailfeedway, sothat only one nail at a time can be fed forward into position to bedriven by the nail-driver into the heel.

A These and other objects are carried out in a manner hereinafter fullyand at large set forth.

My invention consist-s of mechanism by which the heel will be fed aftereach operation of the nail-driver, but will not be so fed unless a nailhas been received from the nailraceway into the nail-feedway and fedforward into position to be driven into the heel by the nail-driver, thefeeding or undriven nail thus acting to control the feeding of theheel-plate and the heel carried thereon.

My invention further consists of certain novel features hereinafterdescribed, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In United States Letters Patent No. 507, 7 7 2, dated October 3l, 18925,and granted to me for machines for loading heels with nails, andreissued to the lVoodward Manufacturing Company, of Saco, Maine, April16, 1895, and numbered 11,486, I have shown, described, and claimed amachine in which the feeding of the heel-plate is regulated by thedriven nails, and is not fed unless a nail is driven, whereas in themachine forming the subjectmatter of this application it is not thedriven nails which control the feeding of the heelplate, but theundriven or feeding nails which control the mechanism which operates theheel-plate on which the heel is located.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, 'Figure 1is a perspective view of the machine after a heel has been loaded withnails and about to be removed. Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view of theplunger and cooperating parts. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view lookingupwardly toward the bottom of the plunger. Fig. 4 is a detail View ofthe jaw-separator. Fig. 5 is a perspective View on a smaller scale thanFig. 1 and showing the mechanism by which the machine is actuated andfor clear illustration omitting certain parts into which the nail is fedand driven into the heel. Figs. 6, 7, A8, and 9 are detail plan viewsshowing various positions of the feeding mechanism by which theheel-supporting plate is turned after each nail-driving operation. Fig.10 is a detail plan view of the nail-raceway and nail-feedway andshowing a nail pushed forward by the nail-feeder into position toreceive the impact'of the nail-driver. Fig. 11 is a detail plan view ofthe nail-feedway and showing the means by which but one nail at a timeis allowed to pass into the nail-feedway. Fig. 12 is a plan view of themechanism into which the nails are received one at a time from thenail-raceway and fed into position to be driven into the heel by thenaildriver. Fig. 13 is an end view of the same mechanism. Fig. 14 is aside view of the same mechanism, taken on the side opposite to thenail-raceway. Figs. 14, 15, 16, and 17 represent detail views of thejaws by which the nail is held in position to be driven into the heel.Fig. 18 is a side view of the nail-feeding mechanism, taken on the sideopposite-to that shown in Fig. 14. Fig. 19 is a detail view of thenail-separator. Fig. 20 isa longitudinal sectional view on the line a:aa, Fig.

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Fig. 22 is a detail perspective View ofY a governorfor controlling theoperation of the feeding mechanism by which the heel-supportin g plateis operated. Fig. 23 is a detail view, in side| elevation, of thenail-feeder. Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line Fig.14.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring now to the drawings, (see Figs. 1 to 5,) A represents aV tablesuitably supported fromV the floor.

B is a plunger-head carrying the plunger C, which is mounted therein andcarries the nail-driver D, and receives its motion fromV a crank-arm E,mounted on a suitable drivingshaft E', which receives its motion fromany suitable power, and by means of the ordinary clutch-operatin gdevices lcan be connected or disconnected from the driving power.

In the table A. there are ways F, in which moves a slide F, carrying aheel-plate F2, capable of Vrotation on an axis F2. Y On the under sideof this plate there is a series of feedpins F4, adapted to engage withthe feeding mechanism hereinafter described.

Aheel-holding device F5 is located above the plate F2 and holds theheels FS in position to receive the nails, and it is not hereinparticularly described or claimed, as said heelholding device,theheel-plate, the slide,'an'd connected to said slide and table or anyother desirable manner. On the end of the crankarm E there is journaleda pitman E2, connected at its lower end to a curved arm E2, pinned on ashaft E4, which has a right-angle extension E5, having a pin moving in avertical shaft E, fulcrumed' above on a suitable fixed shaft FF, so thatthe said shaft has a toand-fro motion from the power transmitted fromthe block E5. The lowel` end of said shaft E6 is connected by a pin ESto a block E2,mounted in an upright projection El, forming a part of theslide H, which is moved to and fro in the guideway H by the oscillationsof the vertical shaft EG, fulcrumed on the shaft E7. On said slide Hthere is pivotal'ly connected a pawl G, pivoted at G' to the slide-H,and to its rear end there is connected one endof a spring G2, whoseother end is connected tothe projection E10 at G3, the tendency ofwhichspri'ng is to draw said rear end toward the upright projection E10and toY cause the forward end to move toward the ratchet-wheel J, towhich is secured the sprocket-wheel J', both of which are mountedloosely on the shaft J2, having a circular headV J 3, set in the upperside of the sprocket-wheel J On the forward end of the pawl G there lisa finger G4, secured by suitable screw G5 to said forward end, and thelimit of movement of said forward end,due to the tension of the springG3, is limited by a pin GG on slide H. From the forward end of the pawlG and on one side of the finger G4 there extends upwardly a pin G7,having its upper end GS cut substantially in triangular shape.

The rotation or feeding of the heel-plate F2 is caused by the engagementof the teeth of the sprocket-wheel J with the feeding points or pins F4on the heel-plate, and the op- Y eration of said ratchet-wheelJ andsprocketwheel J is caused by the pawl G, so that it will be understoodthat the feeding of the heel-plate depends upon the-movement given tothe ratchet-wheel J by the pawl G, and it will be hereinafter explainedhow the said pawl G is caused to engage said ratchet-wheel J when a nailpasses from the nail-raceway into thenail-feedway and is moved forwardinto position to be driven by the nail-driving mechanism into the heel,and it will be set forth how said pawl is prevented from operating thesaid ratchet-wheel J when a nail has not been received from the racewayinto the nail-feedway and moved forward toward the nail-drivingmechanism.

When the feeding operation is finished, so that the last one of thefeeding points or pins, which I have marked F6, comes between the teethof the sprocket-wheel J, a corner F7 of the heel-plate will come incontact with the knob K on the end of the arm K', extending from the hubK2, pivoted on a pin K3. Another arm K4 extends from the hub F2 to theclutch operating mechanism Ki", and the movement imparted to said knob Kwill release the arm K4 from said clutch-operating mechanism K5 and themachine will automatically stop. The hub K2 is provided with a handleK6, so that the lever may be operated by hand to stop the machine. Asuitable spring K7 is secured to an arm K4 and to the frame of themachine, and tends to hold said mechanism in the position shown in Figs.1 and 5, so that the tripping of the clutch-operating mechanism willtake place when the corner F7 contacts with the knob K and moves itrearwardly from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The nail-driver D is secured to the bottom of the plunger C by suitableset-screw D', and on the adjacent side of said plunger there is locateda jaw-separator M', adapted to move up and down in a slot M', formed inone side of the plunger C, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) and it is provided witha slot M3. The said jawseparator extends downwardly and is provided atits lower end with a wedge-shaped point M2 for a purpose hereinafterdescribed. On one side of the jaw-separator M there is IOO IIO

arranged a link L, having a slot L2, and through the upper end of saidlink there is a pin L', which extends through the link into the slot M3of the jaw-separator M, and is secured in the plunger C, and is adaptedto have a movement up and down in said slot, and in the upper positionof the plunger, as shown in Fig. l, said pin L' holds the jawseparator Min its upper position, and when movement is communicated to the saidlink L to cause it to move downward, the pin L', when it reaches theposition shown in Fig. 2, moves said j avv-separator downward from theposition shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

In the bottom of the slot L2 there is located a pin N, to which ispinned by a set-screw an arm N', extending to and surrounding the shaftO and provided with a right-angle eX- tension Nb', partly around theshaft O, and adapted to move in a recess i 5, cut in the fixed sleeveN2. A springN3has one end secured to said sleeve N2, and the other endto a pin N4 on the upper end of the arm N. By means of this extensionNG, working in the recess N5, the movements of the link L and plunger Care communicated to the fixed sleeve N2 and shaft O. By means of thisrecess N5 the upward movement of the arm N' with the link L and plungerC is provided for in the event of the shaft O and sleeve N2 beingstopped by the fouling of the nails or other obstruction, as theextension N6 moves in a recess N5 toward the upper front edge of saidrecess N5, but not in contact there with, and in said upper movement ofthe plunger C the spring N3 is put under tension, so that after removalof the nail which caused the stopping of the nail-feeder R4 and shaft O,the spring N3 moves said sleeve N2 to its upper normal position, and theextension N6 bears against the rear upper side of the recess N5, and insuch position in the downward movement of the parts communicates motionto the sleeve N2 and from said sleeve to the shaft O, on which thesleeve N2 is pinned fast, and in the upward movement of the plunger Cand cooperating parts motion is communicated to the fixed sleeve N2 andshaft- O through the spring N5, the upper end of which moving upwardlywith the plunger C pulls the sleeve N2 and shaft O and causes therevolution of the same in a direction opposite to that caused by thedownward movement of the plunger C and cooperating parts.

In the downward movement of the plunger C the link L moves downwarly, asindicated in dotted lines, Fig. 2, and the jaw-separator M does notreceive any downward movement until the pin L' reaches the bottom of theslot M2 in the upper part of said jaw-separator, and then in thecontinued downward movement of the plunger C the link L, jawsepa ratorM, and nail-driver move together by the continued descent of the plungerC, but from the above it will be seen that the nail-driver D movesdownwardly a distance equal to the length of the slot M3 in thejaw-separator M' before the jaw-separator receives any downwardmovement. Whenthe upper part of the slot L2 in the downward movement ofthe plunger comes in contact with the pin N, the shaft O is caused torotate by the lever N' in the downward movement of the plunger, and saidshaft is rotated in an opposite direction when the ascent of the plungertakes place.

On the same shaft O and to the left of the lever N', at P', there is avertical arm P, pinned fast on the said shaft, and at its lower end isprovided with a right-angle pin P2, surrounded by an antifriction-rollerP5, fitting in a recess R5 of the nail-feeder R4, so that the oppositeoscillations of the shaft O, which take place in the upward and downwardmovement of the nail-driving mechanism, are imparted through the arm Pto the said 'nailfeeder R4, and moves the same forwardly and rearwardlybetween the plates R R'.

The link L, lever N', sleeve N2, and arm P are practically one and movetogether, and in the upward movement of the machine when the nail-feederR4 comes in contact with too solid a resistance, as, for instance, anail becomes fouled, the lever i and sleeve N2 will separate and thesleeve N2 will stop with the shaft O, and the lever N', turning on saidshaft, will continue upwardly with the link L, and thus the stopping ofthe rotation of the shaft O by the nail-feeder R4, through the arm Pencountering an obstruction, does not interfere with the upward movementof the `,plunger C and its cooperating parts, and this arrangement actsas a safety-valve to protect the working parts of the machine when anail has become fouled in the nail-feedway, and upon the removal of theobstruction the shaft O, arm P, and sleeve N2return to their properrelative positions by means of the tension of the spring N2.

In the operation of the machine a line of nails Q' (see Figs. 10 and ll)is arranged in a nail-raceway Q, leading into the opening R2, cut in theplate R of the nail-feedin g mechanism, so that there is always a nailready to pass into said opening R2, and from there into thenail-feedway, in a manner hereinafter described. The said nail-feedingmechanism consists of two side plates R and R', between which there isformed a nail-feedway R3, in which is adapted to reciprocate thenail-feeder R4 in its to-and-fro movements, caused by the pin P2 on theend of the arm P, mounted fast on the shaft O and fitting in a recess R5of said nail-feeder. (SeeFigs. 1 and 18.) On the forward end ofsaidnail-feedingmechanism there is a block R6, secured by screws to theside R, and having an opening R7 in which the naildriver D is adapted toreciprocate, and below said opening RT there is formed between theplates R and R' the circular passage RS, (see Figs. 13, 1S, and 20,) inwhich the nails are pushed by the nail-feeder R4 to receive the impactof the nail-driver D in its downward movement. In one side of said blockR6 there is a recess R9, in which the forward end of the IOO IIO

nail-feeder R1 moves in feeding the nails into thepassageRS.(SeeFigs.10,11,12,14,and20.)

In the upper position of the parts'shown in Fig. 1 the pin P2, with theantifriction-roller P5,tting in the recess R5 of the nail-feeder R1,moves said feeder forward from the position shown in Fig. 11 to theposition shown in Figs. 10 and 12, so as to feed a nail received intothe nail-feedway R3 forwardly into the nail-passage RS,to receive theimpact of the nail-driver D and be driven into the heel, and the machineis so timed that in the upward movement of the nail-driving mechanismthe arm P, with its pin P2, moves the nail-feeder R1 forwardly to feedanother nail into the passage RS to receive the next impact of thenail-driver as it descends, and in the descent of said naildrivingmechanism the pin P2 in the recess R5 moves said nail-feeder R1rearwardly past the two openings R2, into which the nails are receivedfrom the nail-raceway Q, in order to permit another nail to pass fromsaid opening R2 into the nail-feedway R5, in a manner hereinafterexplained, so that in the upward movement of the nail-driving mechanismthe shaft O rotates and through the arm P moves the nail-feeder R1forwardly, and in the downward movement of the nail-drivin g mechanismthe shaft O rotates in an opposite direction and through the arm P movesthe nail-feeder R'1 rearwardly.

At the rear end of the plate R' there is cut a slot R10, open at itsrear end, (see Fig. 14,) and there is adapted to move in said slot a pinR11, secured to and extending out from the nail-feeder R1. The said pinin the position shown in Fig. 14 controls the distance the feeder R1moves forwardly, and its rearward movement is controlled by the springR12. At one side of said nail-feeder R1 there is arranged a movableplate S, (see Figs. l0, 1 1, 14, 1S, and 24,) and referred to in thisspecification as the nail-separator, `the function of which is to permitbut one nail at a time to pass from the vertical opening R2 into thenail-feedway R2, so that but one nail at a time can pass into thepassage R8 and receive the impact of the nail-driver, and therebyprevent clogging and injury to the machine. This nail-separator, at itsforward end and on the opposite side from the opening R2, is cut awayand inclined inward from the top to the bottom,'as shown at S', Figs. l0and 20. From the lower end of said separator there extends outwardly apin S5, Fig. 1S, adapted vto move in a slot S1 of the side R. Said pinis secured at its outer end to a suitable vertical arm S5, mounted on apin S, located in a slot S1, formed in said vertical arm S5, and theplate SS is arranged on the outside of said arm, and through it the pinS passes to hold said arm in place. To the upper end S2 of said arm (seeFigs. 12, 18, 19, 21, and 24) there is rigidly secured a horizontal pinS12, and near the outer end of said pin there is an antifriction-rollerS11, which is adapted always to be in contact with an upward extensionR11 of the nail-feeder R4, on one side of the recess R5, (see Figs. 12,14, 18, and 21,) so that the forward movement of the nail-feeder R4,caused by the arm P in the upward movement of the nail-drivingmechanism, imparts movement to the vertical arm S5 and moves it into theposition shown in Figs. 12, 14, and 18, so that the upper end movesforwardly and the lower end moves rearwardly, and with it the pin S3 andthe nail-separator S, so that the rear end of the separator S projectsbeyond the plates R R.

In the downward movement of the naildriving mechanism the arm P, throughits pin P2, imparts a rearward movement to the nail-feeder R4, and asthe upper projection R14 reeedes from the antifriction-roller S11 on thepin S10 the spring R12, secured to the nailfeeder R4 by a pin R12, andto the extreme end of the pin S10, exerts its tension and pulls theupper end of the vertical arm S5 rearwardly, which, being mounted on thepin S6, throws the pin S3 at the lower end forwardly in the slot S2, andthereby imparts a forward movement to the nail-separator S, and in saidforward movement as it passes the vertical opening R2 the upper partofthe pointed end S passes in between two nails in the line of nails inthe opening' R2, and moves one nail into the nail-feedway R3, (see Fig.11,) the inclined side of said separator acting to push one nail intothe nail-feedway, so that there is always one nail in said feedway readyto be fed forward by the nail-feeder R1 as it moves forwardly in theupward movement of the naildriving mechanism.

The pointed end of the nail-separator S in passing between two nailsmoves but one into the feedway and cuts off the nails back of the nailforced into t-he nail-feedway, so that but one nail at a time can bereceived into the said nail-feedway. The machine is so timed that theforwardr end of the nail-feeder R1 is within the block R when thenail-separator has passed back of the first nail on the line of nails inthe opening R2, (see Fig. 10,) and by such an arrangement more than onenail is prevented fromv passing into the nailfeedway R2 in front,of thenail-feeder R1, as said separator closes the opening R2 until thenail-feeder has passed in advance and closes said opening R2, so thatanother nail cannot pass into said nail-feedway Thus it will be seen inthe upward and downward movement of the nail-driving mechanism the pinP2 imparts, respectively, a forward and rearward motion to the nail-feedR4, and the rearward and forward movements of said nailfeeder actuatethe nail-separator S in its forward and rearward movements, but theforward movement of the nail-feeder RJg causes the rearward movement ofthe nail-separator S, and the rearward movement of said nailfeedercauses the forward movement of said nailfseparator, as previouslydescribed.

It is obvious that in no case can the nails in the opening R2 pass intothe nail-feedway ICO IIO

R3, as the forward wedge-shaped end S in its forward movement passesbetween two nails as the nail-feeder R4 begins its rearward movement,and when said nail-feeder has passed rearwardly of the opening R2 onenail is fed in the nail-feedway by the forward end of thenail-separator, (see Fig. 11,) so that in no case can more than one nailhave uninterrupted movement into the nail-feedway R3, because when theseparator is in its rearward position the nail-feeder is in its forwardposition and closes access to said feedway R3, and when the nail-feederRJi begins to recede the separator moves forward, and wh en thenail-feeder has passed rearward of the opening R2 the nail-separator haspassed in between two nails and fed one into said feedway and blockedthe other nails from passing therein. On the inner side of the plate R(see Fig. there is provided an inclined wedge-shaped recess R13, intowhich the inclined wedge-shaped end S of the separator S is adapted tofit in its forward limit of movement.

At the forward end of the plate R there is pivoted at U' thenail-holding jaws U, inclined inwardly near their lower ends,as shown atU3, and normally held together by the spring U3, secured to the pins U4on the side plate R', and against the upper sides of said jaws there isarranged a plate T, secured to the side R', iu order to assist inholding the jaws in their proper positions. The said jaws aresubstantially of the same construction, and have two offsets U5 and U6at their lower ends, which iit, respectively, under the lower end of theplate R and the offset R13 of the plate R, (see Fig. 13,) and at thelower end of said jaws there is formed in each jaw a recess U1, whichmatch and together form a circular passage U3, when the jaws are heldclosed by the spring U3, and said circular passage is about the samediameter as the body of the nail, and in the lower end of one of thejaws, as shown in Fig. 14, a movable pin U9 is located, its forward endextending outwardly in the recess U7 about half-way across the passageU3, and against its rear end a spring U10, secured to the upper part ofsaid jaw, bears and tends to hold said pin Ug out into the passage U3.)Vhen a nail is fed forward' into the passage R8, it falls vertically inthe passage U8, formed by the recesses U7 in the two jaws, and is` heldin this position by the pin U11, which slightly yields to the fall ofthe nail Q, which is held in a position (shown in Fig. 16) ready toreceive the blow of the naildriver and be driven into the heel, the twojaws thus acting to hold the nail vertically, so that it will be drivenstraight into the heel.

As shown in the drawings in dotted lines, Fig. 14, and full lines, Fig.1, the jaw-separator M, with its wedge-shaped point M3, reciprocatesbetween the jaws U, and, as previously stated, the machine is so timedthat the piu L does not reach the lower end of the slot M3 in the upperend of the jaw-separator until the nail-driver D has acted on the uppershaped pin V6.

end of the nail and driven it partly into the heel, and then thejaw-separator moves downwardly with the continued downward movement ofthe nail-driver and separates said jaws, in order that in the revolutionof the heel the nail may pass from between the recesses UT at the lowerend of the jaws, and thus permit the movement of the heel, and the partof the heel to receive the next nail comes under the said passage U3, asat the beginning of the upward movement of the nail-driving mechanismthe feeding mechanism acts on the pins F1 to revolve the heelplate forthe heel to receive the next nail, so that as the jaws are separated atthe downward limit of movement of the nail-driving mechanism the naildriven into said heel leaves said passage U3 at the beginning of theupward movement of the nail-driver D and before the jaws close by theupward movement of said jaw-separator M, and from the above it will beseen that the nail is held by said jaws and is driven a sufficientdistance in the heel to guide it during the rest of the drivingoperation before the jaw-separator acts on said jaws to move them fromthe nail, and by this provision the nail is driven straight into theheel the entire distance before the jaws are opened the full distance torelease said nail from the recesses U1.

Pivoted to the upper side of the plate R at V there is a device V,whichwill be called a nailfeeler, having its forward end V3 partly across theforward end of the nail-feedway R3, (see Fig. 12,) owing to the tensionof the spring V3, secured at one end to a pin to the under side of saidnail-feeler, and at the other end to a pin on which one of the jaws ispivoted, and tends to hold said feeler partly across the opening of thenail-feedway R3. In the side and at the forward end of the nailfeeder R1there is cut a slot R16, (see Fig. 23,) which is of sufficient depth toreceive the forward side V2 of the nail-feeler V and pass by the samewithout imparting any movement to the said nail-feeler, so that thenail-feeder in its forward movements does not itself actuate or give anymotion to the nail-feeler by contact with the forward end V2 of saidfeeler. The said feeler is provided with two other arms extending indifferent directions, V3 and V4, the arm V3 having a recess to receiveone end of the rod 1V, hereinafter referred to, and' the arm V4 havingat its extreme end a wedge- N ow if by any chance the nails in theraceway and in the opening R3 should become exhausted or not properlyfed, so that there is no nail to pass into the nailfeedway, thereciprocations or movements of the nail-feeder R1 and separator S do notaffect the position of the nail-feeler shown in Fig. 12, or give anymotion to the nail-feeler, and the nail-feeler remains in its normalposition, as shown in said figure, as the recess R1i in the nail-feederR4 receives the forward end V2 of the nail-feeler therein, and impartsno movement whatever to the said nail-feeler,

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Now if a nail is moved into the nail-feedway R3, as hereinbeforedescribed, in the position shown in Fig. 11, it rises on the top of thesaid nail-feedway by its collar and its shank projects downwardly in thesaid feedway, and as the feeder reciprocates and moves said nailforwardly its shank comes in Contact with the forward end V2 of thenail-feeler and moves the same from the raceway toward the positionshown in Fig. 21, throws the pin VG on the inner side of the arm R47,extending from the side of the nail-feeder R4, (see Figs. 21 and 23,)and in the forward movement of the nail-feeder R4 the arm R" acts onsaid pin V6 and imparts continued movement rearwardly to the forwardside V2 and arm V3, and moves the same into the position shown in Fig.21, with the pin VG resting in the recess V7 on the arm R17, and fromthis recess VT the pin V6 easily passes, owing to the roundness of itscontacting side in the rearward movement of the nail-feeder R4. Thisrearward movement of the arm V3 is communicated to the rod W', securedto a vertical arm XV', (see Figs. 12, 13, 14, 18, 2l, 22, and 2th)having at its upper end'a suitable set-screw XV2, and at its lower endsaid arm XV' passes through a horizontal arm XVS, having a suitableset-screw to adjust the position of the vertical arm XV', and at itsextreme lower end there is secured a rectangular-shaped plate X, securedto said vertical arm W' by a screw X'. The said arm W3 is secured to ahorizontal moving block XV4, located in a suit-able recess XVG, formedbetween the plates R and R', and its forward limit of movement isregulated by a pin XVG, which is adapted in the forward movement of thesaid block to contact with a suitable depending plate XV7 and limit thesaid forward movement, and the rearward movement of said block XV4 isagainst the tension of the spring XVS, secured to a pin XVO on the sideR', an d at the other end around the rear end XV9 of the rod W, and thetendency of said spring is normally to draw said block W4 to saidforward position. The motion imparted by the arm V3 of the nail-feelerV, caused by the passage of a nail through the nail-feedway R3, actuatesthe forward end V2thereof, so that the pin V(i passes inside the arm R1Tand gives a rearward motion to the rod W, vertical arm XV', and blockW4, so that the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 21.

Referring now to Figs. 6, '7, S, and 9, the plate X on the lower end ofthe arm XV', when no nail has been fed into the nail-feedwayRS, will belocated on the inner side of the upper end GT of the pin GS, as shown inFigs. G and 7, and in the reciprocating motion of the slide H the pawl Gis lifted, as shown in Fig. 7, and'does not engage a new tooth J 5, butwill pass over into the same tooth J4, which it previously fed when anail had been driven. XVhen, nhowever, a nail has been fed and the blockXV4 and the plate X have been lmoved outwardly into the position shownin Fig. 21, the said plate X passes to the outer side of the upper endG7 of the pin GS on the pawl (see Figs. 8 and 9) and holds said pawldownwardly in the position shown, so that the upper end GT of the pinGson the pawl passes on the inner side of the plate X, and the pawl G,being held in its downward position, the finger G4 in the continuedforward movement. of the slide H engages with the next tooth J5 of the.ratchet-wheel J and actuates theY same, and with it the sprocket-wheelJ'. (See Figs. S and 9.) This wheel J engaging with the feeding-pins F4on the heel-plate F2 causes a movement to the heel-plate and heel andswings said heel into position to receive the next nail to be driven.

It will be seen that as many nails will be driven in theheel as thereare feeding-pins F4, and it will also be understood that the heel-plateF2 will be turned as long as a pin F4 lies in the depression in thesprocket-wheel J the feeding operation being in a direction indicated bythe arrow in Fig. 5.

The movement of the sprocket-wheel J', caused by the pawl G, begins asthe naildriver starts to ascend, but the jaw-separator M does not beginits upward movement until the pin L' reaches the upper endv of the slotM2, when both nail-driver D and jaw-separator M continue together theirupward movement, so that by this arrangement the jaws are held open bythe said separator su fiicient time to permit the driven nail to leavethe passage Us, after which, as the jaw-separator moves upwardly withthe nail-driver, the jaws close to their normal position to receive thenext nail fed forward by the nail-feeder R4,

so that after each nail has been driven the nail-driving mechanismstarts its upward movement, followed by the upward movement of thejaw-separator when the pin L' reaches the upper end of the slot M2, andthe feeding operation of the heel-plate takes place through the pawl G,slide H, oscillating shaft E, pitman E2, and coperating parts.

As shown in Fig. 18, the arm S5 is loosely mounted on the pin S6 bymeans of the slot S7, and the object of thus loosely mounting the arm S5on the pin S6 is to provide a lost motion of the movement of the upperend S of the arm S5, in that, as the nail pusher or feeder R4 beginseither to move forwardly or to move rearwardly, due to the oscillationof the arm P, pin P2, and friction-roller P2, mounted in the nail-feederR4, the effect of such movements is not immediately imparted IOO los

- the nail-feeder R4 is communicated through the arm S5, bearing on thepin S6, and through the pin S3 working in the slot S4 to thenailseparator S, so that with the nail-feeder R4 in its forwardposition, as shown in Figs. l0 and 18,'as it begins its rearwardmotionit does not effect or produce a forward movement to thenail-separator S until the opposite side of the slot away from the pinS6 moves over to and bears on said pin as a center, and then thecontinued rearward movement of the nail-feeder R4 imparts through thepin S3, at the lower end of the arm S5, a forward movement to thenail-separator, and when a forward movement is imparted to thenail-feeder R4 the same amount of forward movement is given saidnail-feeder R4 before its continued movement is imparted to thenail-separator S to withdraw it to its rearward position.

From the above it will be seen that in both the forward and rearwardmovements of the nail-feeder R4 there is allowed a certain amount ofmovement which is not communicated to the nail-separator S.

Now, referring to Fig. l1, in which the nailfeeder R4 is shown in itsrearward position and the nail-separator in its forward position, theforward movement of the nail-feeder R4 is not communicated to thenail-separator S to produce a rearward motion until said nailfeeder R4reaches the opening R2, when the' continued movement forward of saidnailfceder imparts a rearward movement of the nail-separator S, and inthe continued forward movement of the nail-feeder R4, as it passes byand closes the opening R2, the nail-separator S is withdrawn frombetween the nails to the position shown in Fig. lO, and by this meansonly one nail at a time can pass into the nail-feedway R3 in position tobe moved forward by the nail-feeder R4, as the nailscparator S holds thenails in the raceway from continued downward movement until thenail-feeder R4 has passed beyond the opening R2 and is moving one nailforwardly into position to be driven, and as soon as the saidnail-feeder R4 has passed beyond the opening R2 the opposite end of theslot S7 has reached a bearing on the pin S, and then the continuedforward movement of said nail-feeder R4 is communicated to thenail-separator S, which, through the pin S3 at the lower end of the armis withdrawn to its rearward position, as shown in Fig. l0. Now with thenail-feeder R4 in its forward position and the nail-separator S in itsrearward position, as shown in Fig. lO, the beginning of the rearwardmovement of the nail-feeder R4 is lost to the nails separator S untilthe said feeder approaches end, gradually pushes one nail into thenailfeedway R3 as the nail-feeder R4 uncovers the opening R2 into thenail-feedway R3, so that this rearward lost motion is pro vided that thenail-separator S will not move forwardly between the nails and attemptto crowd or push a nail into the nail-feedway R3 until in its rearwardmovement the nail-feeder R4 begins to uncover the opening R2, leadinginto the nail-feedway R3. If this lost motion was not provided, thenail-separator S would move in between the nails an d tend to push anail into the nail-feedway R3, occupied by the nailfeeder R4, but bythis provision the nail-separator S does not begin to move between thenails until the front end of the nail-feeder R4, in its rearwardmovement, is near the opening R2, and as the wedge-shaped end S of thenail-separator S gradually moves between the nails the nail-feeder -R4recedes and passes by the opening R2 as the nail-separator S forces anail into the nail-feedway R3 and blocks the other nails from passinginto the nail-feedway R3.

Y represents a suitable pin in the table A, Fig. l, directly in the lineof movement of the nail-driver, and over which the various feeding-pinsF4 rest in the revolution of the heel in alinement with the nail-driverD to present a solid bearing for the heel to the blow of thenail-driver.

Z represents two bolts which pass through the plates R and R' of thenail-feeding mechanism and secure the same in the position shown, theother ends of said bolts being secured to a suitable casting on the sideof the machine.

The power is started through a vertical rod K8 of the clutch-actuatingmechanism on the side of the machine,and the upper end of said rod mayengage with any suitable clutch mechanism for throwing on or o thepower.

from the driving-shaft, and the lower end of said rod extends below thetable to a suitable foot-treadle. When the last nail has been driven,the proj ection F7 in the revolution of the heel-plate strikes the knob-K and throws the end of the arm K4 away from its connection with theclutch-operating mechanism K5, and the machine is automaticallystopped,or, if desired, the machine can be stopped at any time by theoperator moving the handle K6 to slip the arm K4 from connection withthe clutch-operating mechanism.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that each nail fedforward by the nailfeeder and driven into the heel has, in its passagetoward the nail-driving mechanism, actuated the nail-feeler, and throughthe nailfeeler the governor or controller of the feeding mechanism forthe heel-supporting plate, so that after the nail has been driven intothe heel, and as the nail-driving mechanism begins its upward movement,the pawl G on' the slide H actuates the sprocket-wheel J to feed theheel-supporting plate and heel in `position to receive another nail, sothat,

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briefly stated, each nail, previous to its being driven, has actuatedcertain mechanism, which, after the nail is driven into the heel, causesthe operation of the feeding mechanism and heel-supporting plate toexpose a new part of the heel for the next nail.

The undriven or feeding nail referred to in this specification ascontrolling the operation of the feeding mechanism of theheel-supporting plate is to be understood as referring to any locationof a nail after it has been separated from the other nails in thenail-raceway and is moved along t-he nail-feedway under the influence ofthe nail-feeder, or is passing down the driveway to the nail-holdin gdevice, or is held in the nail-holding device in position to be drivenby the nail-driving mechanism into the heel; that is, it refers to anylocation of a nail after it has been separated from the other nails in'the nail-raceway up to the time it is driven into the heel.

By means of this invention it is possible for one operator to attend toa number of machines, as he has only to place the heel in position onthe heel-plate, start the machine,and leave it. At the proper times,depending upon the passage of the feeding nails, the feeding of the heelwill take place, and when the last nail has been driven, the end FVT ofthe heel-plate` will contact with the knob K and throw the arm K'L awayfrom the clutchoperating mechanism, and the machine will stop, so thatthe machine is automatic so far as driving the nails and stopping whenthe work has been done.

The drawings forming a part of this application represent views of amachine in which my invention is embodied, but it will be understoodthat the same may be varied and my invention carried out in a variety ofways, and I therefore do not limit myself to the arrangement andconstruction shown, as the same may be varied without departing from thespirit of my invention.

Although I have shown and described my invention as embodied in aheel-machine, yet it will be understood that it is applicable tomachines doing other classes of work, into which nails, pegs, or thelike are driven.

Having thus ascertained the nature and set forth a constructionembodying my invention, what Iclaim a-s new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feeding mechanismadapted to actuate said heel-plate, nail-driving mechanism for drivingnails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, a nail-feeder for movingthe nails into position to be driven by said naildriving mechanism, anail-separator for moving one nail at a time into position to be fed bythe nail-feeder, and mechanism operated by the nail-driving mechanismfor actuating said nail-feeder and nail-separator.

2. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feeding mechanismadapted to operate said heel-plate, nail-driving mechanism for drivingnails into the said heel, anailfeeder for moving the nails into positionto be driven by said nail-drivin g mechanism, a nail-separator formoving one nail at a time into the path of the nail-feeder and connectedto said nail-feeder, and mechanism operated by the nail-drivingmechanism for actuating said nail-feeder and nail-separator in oppositedirections.

3. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feeding mechanismadapted to actuate said heel-plate, nail-driving mechanism for drivingnails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, a nail-feeder for movingthe nails into position to be driven by said naildriving mechanism, anail-separator for moving one nail at a time into position to be fed bysaidlnail-feeder, means for imparting the movement of said nail-feederto said nailseparator after the said nail-feeder hasmoved apredetermined distance, and mechanism operated by the nail-drivingmechanism for actuating said nail-feeder.

4. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feeding mechanismadapted to actuate said heel-supporting plate, nail-driving mechanismfor driving nails into the heel carried by said plate, means for feedingthe nails into position to be driven by the said driving mechanism, anail-holding device for holding the nails in position to be driven bysaid nail-drivingmechanism and consisting of two jaws normally heldtogether and provided with matching recesses in which the nail issupported, a j aw-separator operated by the naildriving mechanism forseparating said jaws to release the nail driven into the heel, and meansfor imparting to the said jaw-separator the movement of saidnail-driving mechanism after said driving mechanism has moved apredetermined distance.

5. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feeding mechanismadapted to actuate said heel-supporting plate, nail-driving mechanismfor driving nails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, anail-feeder for moving the nails into position to be driven by the saidnail-driving mechanism, a nail-separator for moving one nail at a timeinto position to be fed bysaid nail-feeder and connected to saidnail-feeder, mechanism operated by said nail-driving mechanism foractuating said nail-feeder and nail-separator, in combination with anail-holding device adapted to receive the nails fed by said nail-feederand hold the same in position to be driven by said nail-drivingmechanism and consisting of two jaws normally held together and providedwith matching recesses in which the nail is supported, and ajaw-separator operated by said nail-driving mechanism for separatingsaid jaws to release the nail driven into the heel.

G. Ina heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feeding mechanismadapted to actuate said heel-supporting plate, nail-driving mechanismfor driving nails into the heel lOO IIO

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carried by said heel-plate, a nail-feeder for moving the nails intoposition to be driven by said nail-driving mechanism, a nail-separatorfor moving one nail at a time into position to be fed by saidnail-feeder, means for imparting the movement of said nail-feeder to thesaid nail-separator after the said nail-feeder has moved a predetermineddistance, mechanism operated by the said nail-driving mechanism foractuating the said nail-feeder, in combination with a nail-holdingdevice adapted to receive the nails fed by said nail-feeder and hold thesame in position to be driven by said nail-driving mechanism andconsisting of two jaws normally held together and provided with matchingrecesses in which the nail is supported, a j aw-separator operated bythe nail-driving mechanism for separating said jaws to release the naildriven into the heel, and means for imparting to the said jawseparatorthe movement of said nail-driving mechanism after said driving mechanismhas moved a predetermined distance.

7. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feeding mechanismfor operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-driving mechanism fordriving nails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, a nail-feederfor moving the nails into position to be driven by said nail-drivin gmechanism, a nail-separator connected to the said nail-feeder for movingone nail at a time into position to be fed by the said nail-feeder,mechanism for actuating said nail-feeder, and means forimparting the movement of said nail-feeder to the said nailseparator.

8. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate,having a series offeeding-points located thereon representing the number of nails to bedriven, feeding mechanism adapted to engage with said feeding-points foroperating said heel-plate, nail-driving mechanism for driving nails intothe heel carried by said heel-plate, a nail-feeder for moving the nailsinto position to be driven by the said naildriving mechanism, anail-holding device adapted to receive the nails fed by said nailfeederand hold the same in position to be driven by said nail-drivingmechanism, and means operated by the said nail-driving mechanism foractuating said nail-holding device to release thenails driven into theheel.

9. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate having a series offeeding-points located thereon representing the number of nails to bedriven,feeding mechanism adapted to engage with said feeding-points foroperating said heel-plate, nail-driving mechanism for driving nails intothe heel carried by said heel-plate, a nail-feeder for moving the nailsinto position to be driven by the said naildriving mechanism, anail-holding device adapted to receive the nails fed by the saidnail-feeder and hold the same in position to be driven by saidnail-driving mechanism and provided with a retaining device for holdingthe nails in position to be driven by said nail-driving mechanism, andmeans operated by said nail-driving mechanism for actuating saidnail-holding device to release the nails driven into the heel.

10. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate havinga series'offeeding-points located thereon representing the number of nails to bedriven,feeding mechanism adapted to engage with said feeding-points foroperating said heel-plate, nail-driving mechanism for driving nails intothe heel carried by said heel-plate, a nail-feeder for moving the nailsinto position to be driven by the said naildriving mechanism, anail-holding device adapted to receive the nails fed by said nailfeederand hold the same in position to be driven by said nail-drivingmechanism and consisting of two jaws normally held together and providedwith matching recesses in which the nail fed forward by the nail-feederis supported, and means operated by the said naildriving mechanism forseparating said jaws to release the nail driven into the heel.

ll. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, having a seriesof feedingpoints located thereon representing the number of nails to bedriven, feeding mechanism adapted to engage with said feeding-points foroperating said heel-plate, nail-driving mechanism for driving nails intothe heel carried by the said heel-plate, a nail-feeder for moving thenails into position to be driven by the said nail-driving mechanism, anail-holding device adapted to receive the nails fed by the saidnail-feeder and to hold the same in' position to be driven by the saidnail-driving mechanism and consisting of two jaws normally held togetherand provided with matching recesses in which the nail fed forward by thenail-feeder is supported, and a jaw-separator operated by thenail-drivin g mechanism for separating said jaws to release the naildriven into the heel.

12. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, fee-dingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said plate, meansfor feeding the nails into position to be driven by the said drivingmechanism, a nail-holding device for holding the nails in position to bedriven by the said nail-driving mechanism and consisting of tWo jawsnormally held together and provided with matching recesses in which thenail is supported, and a spring-controlled retaining device in one ofsaid jaws adapted to contact with a nail and hold the saine in the saidmatching recesses, and ajaw-separator operated by the nail-drivingmechanism for sep- IOO arating said jaws to release the nail driven jinto the heel.

13. In anail-driving machine, anail-driver, a nail-feeder for moving thenails into position to be driven by said nail-driver, a nailseparatorconnected to said nail-feeder for moving one nail at a time intoposition to be fed by said nail-feeder, mechanism for feeding the work,mechanism in the path of the feeding nails for controlling the operationof said Work-feeding mechanism and adapted when actuated by a feedingnail to cause the operation of said work-feeding mechanism, anail-holding device adapted to receive the nails fed by said nail-feederand to hold the same in position to be driven by said naildrivingmechanism, and mechanism for releasing the nails from the saidnail-holding device.

14. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, anail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven by saidnail-driving mechanism, a nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails,and mechanism between said nail-feeler and said feeding mechanism forcontrolling the operation of said feeding mechanism and adapted whenactuated by the movement of said nail-feeler by contact with a feedingnail to canse the operation of said feeding mechanism andheel-supporting plate.

' 15. In a heel-loading machine, a heefsupporting plate having a seriesof feeding-points located thereon, feeding mechanism adapted to engagewith said feeding-points for operating said heel-supporting plate,nail-driving mechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by saidplate, a nail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven bysaid nail-driving mechanism, a nail-feeler in the path of the feedingnails, and mechanism between said nail-feeler and said feeding mechanismfor controlling the operation of said feeding mechanism and adapted uponthe movement of said nail-feeler by contact with a feeding nail to causethe operation of said feeding mechanism and heel-supporting plate.

16. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate having a seriesof feeding-points located thereon representing the number of nails to bedriven, feeding mechanism adapted to engage with said feeding-points foroperating said heel-supporting plate, nail-driving mechanism for drivingnails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, a nail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven by said nail-driving mechanism, anail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails, and mechanism between saidnail-feeler and said feeding mechanism for controlling the operation ofsaid feeding mechanism and adapted upon the movement of said nail-feelerby contact with a feeding nail to cause the operation of said feedingmechanism and heel-supporting plate.

17. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate having a seriesof feeding-points located thereon, mechanism for driving nails into theheel carried by said heel-plate, a nailfeeder for feeding the nails intoposition to be driven by said nail-driving mechanism, a

feed-wheel adapted to engage with each feeding-point 1n turn, a pawl foroperating said feed-wheel, a nail-feeler located in the path of thenails fed by said nail-feeder, and mechanism between said nail-feelerand said pawl for controlling the movement of said pawl and feed-Wheeland adapted upon the movement of said nail-feeler by contact with afeeding nail to cause the engagement of said pawl and feed-Wheel and theoperation of said heel-supportin g plate.

18. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate having a seriesof feeding-points located thereon, nail-driving mechanism for drivingnails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, a nail-feeder forfeeding the nails into position to be driven by said nail-drivingmechanism, feeding mechanism adapted to engage with each feeding-pointinturn and consisting of members capable of engagement and disengagement,a nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails, and mechanism betweensaid nail-feeler and said feeding mechanism for controlling theoperation of said feeding mechanism and adapted upon the movement ofsaid nail-feeler by contact with a feeding nail to cause the engagementof the members of said feeding mechanism andthe operation of saidfeeding mechanism and heel-supporting plate.

19. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said plate, anail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven by saidnail-driving mechanism, a nail-separator for moving one nail at a timeinto position to be fed by said nail-feeder, connecting mechanismbetween said nail-feeder and said nail-separator whereby the movement ofone is communicated to the other, and mechanism for actuating saidnail-feeder and said nail-separator.

20. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-snpporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said plate, meansfor feeding nails into position to be driven by said nail-drivingmechanism, a nail-holding device consisting of two jaws normally heldtogether and adapt-ed to receive the nails between the said jaws andhold the same in position to be driven by said nail-driving mechanism,and mechanism operated by said naildriving mechanism engaging with saidjaws for releasing the nails driven into the heel from said nail-holdingdevice.

21. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by the saidheel-plate, means for feeding the nails into position to be driven bysaid nail-driving mechanism, a nail-holding device adapted to receivethe nails and hold the same in position to be driven by said naildriving mechanism, and mechanism operated IOO IIO

i man by said nail-driving mechanism for releasing the nail driven intothe heel from said nailholding device.

22. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feedingmechanism adapted to operate said heel-supporting plate, a naildrivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, anail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven by the saidnail-driving mechanism, and a nail-holding device adapted to receive thenails fed by said nail-feeder and hold the same in position to be drivenby said naildriving mechanism and consisting of two jaws normally heldtogether and provided with matching recesses in which the nails fedforward by said nail-feeder are supported, and mechanism for separatingsaid jaws to release the nail driven into the heel in the operation ofthe driving mechanism.

23. In anail-driving machine, anail-driver, a nail-feeder for feedingthe nails into position to be driven by said nail-driver, mechanism forfeeding the work, a nail-feeler in the path of the nails fed by saidnail-feeder, mechanism between said nail-feeler and said work-feedingmechanism for controlling the operation of said work-feeding mechanismand adapted upon the movement of said nailfeeler by contact with afeeding nail to cause the operation of said work-feeding mechanism, anda nail-holding device adapted to receive the nails fed by saidnail-feeder and to hold the same in position to be driven by saidynail-driver.

24:. In anail-driving machine, anail-driver, a nail-feeder for feedingthe nails into position to be driven by said nail-driving mechanism,mechanism for feeding the work, a nail-feeler in the path of the feedingnails, mechanism between the said nail-feeler and the said work-feedingmechanism for controlling the operation of said work-feeding mechanismand adapt ed upon the movement of said nail-feeler by contact with afeeding nail to cause the operation of said work-feeding mechanism7 anail-holding device for receiving the nails fed by the said nail-feederand hold the same in position to be driven by said nail-driver, andmechanism for releasing the nails from the said nail-holding device uponthe operation of said nail-driver.

25. In a nail-drivin g machine, a nail-driver, a nail-feeder for feedingthe nails into position to be driven by said nail-driver, anailseparator for moving one nail at a time into position to be fed bysaid nail-feeder, mechanism for feeding the work, a nail-feeler in thepath of the feeding nails, and mechanism between the said nail-feelerand said workfeeding mechanism for controlling the operation of saidwork-feeding mechanism and adapted upon the movement of said nail-feelerby contact with a feeding nail to cause the operation of saidwork-feeding mechanism.

26. In anail-drivin g machine, anail-driver,

a nail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven by saidnail-driver, a nailseparator connected to said nail-feeder for movingone nail at a time into position to be fed by said nail-feeder,mechanism for feeding the work, a nail-feeler in the path of the feedingnails, and mechanism between said nail-feeler and said work-feedingmechanism for controlling the operation of said workfeeding mechanismand adapted upon the movement of said nail-feeler by contact with afeeding nail to cause the operation of said work-feeding mechanism.

27. In a nail-drivin g machine, a nail-driver, means for feeding thenails into position to be driven by the said nail-driver, mechanism forfeeding the work, a nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails, andmechanism between the nail-feeler and said work-feeding mech-A anism forcontrolling the operation of said work-feeding mechanism and adaptedupon the engagement of a feeding nail with said nail-feeler to cause theoperation of said workfeeding mechanism.

28. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-snpporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said plate, meansfor feeding the nails into position to be driven by said nail-drivin gmechanism, a nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails, mechanismbetween the said nail-feeler and said feeding mechanism for controllingthe operation of said feeding mechanism and adapted upon the engagementof a feeding nail with said nail-feeler to cause the operation of saidfeeding mechanism and heel-supportin g plate, and means for normallyholding said feeler in the path of the feeding nails.

29. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said plate, meansfor feeding the nails into position to be driven by said nail-drivingmechanism, a nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails, and mechanismbetween said nail-feeler and said feeding mechanism for controllingtheoperation of said feeding mechanism and adapted upon the engagement of afeeding nail with said nail-feeler to cause the operation of saidfeeding mechanism and heelsupporting plate.

30. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-snpporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said heel-plate,means for feeding the nails into position to be driven by saidnaildrivin g mechanism, a nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails,mechanism between said nail-feeler and said feeding mechanism adapt-- edwhen actuated by the movement of said nail-feeler to cause the operationof said feeding mechanism and heel-supporting plate, and

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means adapted to engage with and actuate said nail-feeler upon theengagement of said nail-feeler with a feeding nail.

31. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, anail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven by saidnail-driving mechanism, a nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails,mechanism between said nail-feeler and said feeding mechanism adaptedwhen actuated by the movement of said nail-feeler to cause the operationof said feeding mechanism and heel-supporting plate, and means on saidnail-feeder adapted to actuate said nail-feeler upon the engagement ofsaid nail-feeler with a feeding nail.

32. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, anail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven by saidnail-driving mechanism, a nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails,mechanism between said nail-feeler and said feeding mechanism adaptedwhen actuated by the movement of said nail-feeler to cause the operationof said feeding mechanism and heel-supportingplate, means on saidnail-feeder adapted to actuate said nail-feeler upon the engagement ofsaid nail-feeler with a feeding nail, and means for normally holdingsaid nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails.

33. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, anail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven by saidnail-driving mechanism, a nail-separator for moving one nail at a timeinto position to be fed by said nail-feeder, a nail-feeler in the pathof the feeding nails, mechanism between the said nail-feeler and saidfeeding mechanism adapted when actuated by the movement of saidnail-feeler to cause the operation of said feeding mechanism andheel-supporting plate, means on said nail-feeder adapted to en gage withand actuate said nail-feeier upon the engagement of said nail-feelerwith a feeding nail, and means for normally holding said nail-feeler inthe path of the feeding nails.

Si. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, anail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven by saidnail-driving mechanism, a nail-separator connected to the saidnail-feeder for moving one nail at a time into position to be fed bysaid nail-feeder, a nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails,mechanism between the Said nail-feeler and said feeding mechanismladapted when actuated by the movement of said nail-feeler to cause theoperation of said feeding mechanism and heel supporting plate, means onsaid nail-feeder adapted to engage with and actuate said nail-feelerupon the engagement of said nail-feeler with a feeding nail, and meansfor normally holding said nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails.

35. In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating sai'd heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said heel-plate, anail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven bysaidnail-driving mechanism, a nail-separator connected to the saidnail-feeder for moving one nail at a time into position to be fed bysaid nail-feeder, mechanism operated by said naildriving mechanism foractuating said nailfeeder and said nail-separator, a nail-feeler in thepath of the feeding nails, mechanism between said nail-feeler and saidfeeding mechanism adapted when actuated by the movement of saidnail-feeler to cause the operation of said feeding mechanism andheelsupporting plate, means on said nail-feeder adapted to engage withand actuate said nailfeeler upon the engagement of said nail-feeler witha feeding nail, means for normally holding said nail-feeler in the pathof the feeding nails, a nail-holding device adapted to receive the nailsfed by the said nail-feeder and hold the same in position to be drivenby said nail-driving mechanism and consisting of two jaws normally heldtogether and provided with matching recesses in which the nail fedforward is supported, and a jaw-separator operated by the saidnail-driving mechanism for separating said jaws to release the naildriven into the heel from saidlnail-holding device.

36. In a nail-driving machine, a nail-driver, means for feeding thenails into position to be driven by said nail-driver, mechanism forfeeding the work, a nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails,mechanism between said nail-feeler and said work-feeding mechanismadapted when actuated by the movement of said nail-feeler to cause theoperation of said work-feeding mechanism, and means adapted to engagewith and actuate said nail-feeler upon the engagement of saidnail-feeler with a feeding nail.

37. In a nail-driving machine, a nail-driver, a nail-feeder for feedingthe nails into position to be driven by said nail-driver, mech anism forfeeding the work, a nail-feeler in the path of the feeding nails,mechanism between the said nail-feeler and the said work-feedin gmechanism adapted when actuated by the movement of saidl nail-feeler tocause the operation of said work-feeding mechanism, and means on saidnail-feeder adapted to engage with and actuate said nail-feeler upon theengagement of said nail-feeler with a feeding nail. l

38. In a nail-driving machine, anail-driver,

IIO

a nail-feeder for feeding the nails into position to be driven by saidnail-driver, mechanism for feeding the work, a nail-feeler in the pathof the feeding nails, mechanism between the said nail-feeler and thesaid work-feeding mechanism adapted when actuated by the movement ofsaid nail-feeler to cause the operation of said work feeding mechanism,means on said nail-feeder adapted to engage with and actuate saidnail-feeler upon the engagement of said nail-feeler with a feeding nail,and means for normally holding said nail-feeler in the path of thefeeding nails.

35). In a heel-loading machine, a heel-supporting plate, feedingmechanism for operating said heel-supporting plate, nail-drivingmechanism for driving nails into the heel carried by said plate, meansfor feeding the nails A into position to be driven by said nail-drivingmechanism, and mechanism cooperating with said feeding mechanism tocontrol the operation thereof and having a part extending into the pathof the feeding nails and adapted when actuated by engagement with afeeding nail to cause the operation of said feeding mechanism and heelsupporting plate.

l0. ln anail-drivingmachine, :inail-driver,

means for feeding the nails into position to be driven by saidnail-driver, mechanism for feeding the work, and mechanism coperatingwith said work-feeding mechanism to control the operation thereof andhaving a part extending into the path of the feeding nails and adaptedwhen actuated by engagement with a feeding nail to cause the operationof said work-feeding mechanism.

4l. In a nail-driving machine, a nail-driver, means for feeding thenails into position to be driven by said nail-driver, mechanism forfeeding the work, and mechanism coperating with said work-feedingmechanism to control the operation thereof and having a part extendinginto the path of the feeding nails and adapted when in engagement with afeeding nail to cause the operation of said workfeeding mechanism.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 12th day of January,1895.

ERASTUS VOODVARD.

llitnesses:

L. H. TRow, EL. HARLow.

